Salsalate cuts blood sugar levels in obese adults

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A drug approved for the treatment of arthritis may have a role in reducing the risk of diabetes and heart trouble developing in young obese individuals, Harvard researchers report.

Compared with an inactive placebo, the anti-inflammatory drug salsalate reduced glucose levels by an average of 13 percent in 20 non-diabetic adults no older than 30 years of age with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 (classified as obese).

For the study, Dr. Allison B. Goldfine of the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston and colleagues randomly assigned the participants to take 4 milligrams of salsalate daily in two divided doses, or placebo, for 4 weeks.

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